Maui's dolphins project: the achievements

The overall aim of the WWF programme is to protect the future of Mauis dolphins by securing a self-sustaining population that can live in its traditional range and is free of threats from human activity.

A safer playground for Maui's

WWF's key success in 2003 was our campaign for a ban on gill netting in the Maui's range. It is now prohibited within 7.4 kilometres (4 nautical miles) of the coast.

It took almost two years of fever-pitched campaigning to achieve this result. During this time the Minister of Fisheries announced a ban, which was then overturned in court. A year later the ban was re-instated following another court battle.

Phew!

Our next step will be to seek full protection in harbours and campaign to extend the ban on trawling.

Raglan area school children, young Mauis dolphin enthusiasts.

Locals keeping a keen lookout
WWF with help from researchers and Toyota New Zealand has developed a WWF Sightings Network in order to learn more about the dolphins' movements and habitat requirements.

Data generated by public reports to the sightings network provide vital information that can be used to determine future research and management priorities.

Since October 2003, a total of 67 Maui's dolphins were reported to the sightings network, including six sightings of one calf. With a population of around 100, this is a good result.

Teaching children how to take action
WWF offers a free visit from a registered teacher for school children of all ages in the North Island, west coast region.

The session teaches children about the threats facing Maui's dolphin and how children and their families can take action to protect them.

Since 2000, over 11,000 students taught about Maui's dolphin. One class even wrote their own Maui's dolphin song.